Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-24
THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPuRrJC
Is Political Organization Say the DEM
.Ocratic Party-Is il Trueo

diers and sailors of the Union after tn.
strife OF the civil war was over and the,
were returning to the pursuits of civil life
The motive prompting some such or
ganization among the late soldiers and
sailors, was to foster and maintain frater
nal feelings among them, and by anG
through the posts established in every city
and hamlet throughout the country, 'o
have the organized instrumentalities al
ways at hand to render aid and comfort tc
those Of their number who should sink BY
the wayside from sickne ss, wounds re
ceived, or any other cause render
ing them helpless and in need OF
aid or comfort Who like soldiers
who had endured the hardships of the camr
and field, the years Of marches by day and
by night, the hard fought battles, tina,
could do these kindly offices, and give true
sympathy and aid in their hours of need,
SO well, SO cheerfulIy and generously as the
men who had drank from the same can.
teen?"
These veterans had before them the ex-
ample of the sufferings of one soldiery of
one Mexican war, scattered all through the
country, with no organized effort to help
each other, or through an organization to
call upon the charity of the public.
There never yet was a post of the G. A.
r. who would see one OF their old soldier
comrades suffering without rendering him
aid and comfort. They have expended
millions upon millions of dollars upon sick
and disabled comrades and their widows
and orphans.
These old soldiers are not enjoying
any more of the blessings of this land
than the "copperhead" who stayed at home
and reviled and villified the soldiers while
they were at the front doing their duty to
their country in her hour of need
Where are these revilers now! Are no.
every one of them in the political party
which now asserts that the Grand Army
is political organization?" Yet they all
know that every member of the Grand
Army has his individual political convic.
lions, and is free to talk and vote them as
he could be if he did not belong TO the Or
ganization.
Let us look at the efforts and influences
of the Grand Army In another direction:
The Grand Army post at Richmond, Vir-
ginia knowing the good work we were do
ing among our comrades to relieve suffer
Ing, and daily seeing the distress among
the ex- Confederate soldiers there, with no
to relieve this distress among
these brave men conceived
The idea of forming similar
to the Grand Army for their
relief, Capt. B. G. Cook, then deputy com
nander of Virginia G.. A. r. had several
interviews upon the subject with Exon
federate Col. Darlington, then mayor of
Richmond.
These interviews eliminated In plan to
hold fair" at Richmond for thirty DAYS
o raise funds to establish a confederate
oldiers' home Committees were appointed |
IN every one of which the Grand Army
vas represented.
An appeal was made to the Grand Army |
# the Republic of the country setting forth
he objects and the necessity of the fair,
nd asking donations.
The Grand Army posts, of the north par
icularly, promptly responded, and enough |
donations of money and other articles were
made to the fair SO that the proceeds Melted
nough funds to build the confederate
oldiers' home at Richmond, and "R. E.
zee, camp No. 81. confederate
eterans" was organized Every
ther camp throughout the south, which
as since been established obtains its chart.
r from this ''R. Z. Lee Campt No. l."
These camps are doing very great
mount of good. in relieving distress
mong the ex- Confederate soldiers.
We soldiers of both sides, who bore the
runt of battle, fully fraternize and have
othing but good feelings and good wishes
)r each other.
The feelings that prompt and move these
Id veterans 10 a recognition Of each others
ravery, and to deeds of charity, can never
2 felt by the "Copperheads' or his affiia-
rs, who staid In the rear when there was
thn frCy md hO 4
llifying and disappearing everything
ue and noble in the ex soldier
The volunteer soldiers have saved this :
'untry once, from wrong theories and
-inciples, they may yet have to unite in
mmon cause and save the country from
e shyster politician.
There is no wrangle between the blue
ID the gray, the politicians would
axe us believe there is.
There are vast principles of "a govern
ent of the people, by the people, and for :
e people. which the blue and the gray
no distant day, will stand together as
e man, to protect and defend In the In
rest Of all sections Of this country. and
i Ia the interest Of the British manufac.
rer.
Let the mossback politicians call us a
political organization" they cannot foist ]
,On rs and our encampment at st. Louis,
cir nominee for president, for we would
II let James G. Blaine, the representative
another political party, figure into our 4
at Minneapolis In 1884, a
though be was spending the summer I
it'll his family, al the lakes only twenty q